Gum Disease Is Linked to Serious Health Complications and Is The Leading Cause of Tooth Loss

View How Gum Disease Moves Throughout the Body

Gum Disease is Linked to Serious Health Risks

Gum disease has been linked to an increased risk for many serious health complications, including:

Heart Disease

Premature Birth or Low Birth-Weight Babies

Stroke

Pancreatic Cancer

Memory Loss or Dementia

Diabetes

Head and Neck Cancer

Kidney Disease

The Dangers of Periodontal Disease in Glen Ellyn, IL

When you have periodontal disease, there are millions of bacteria living and breathing inside your mouth. Open wounds in the gum tissue caused by inflammation can allow these bacteria to enter the bloodstream and spread to other areas in the body. This is why patients suffering from gum disease symptoms in Glen Ellyn, IL should contact Dr. John Borello as soon as possible.

Oral Health Risks

Periodontal disease is a leading cause of tooth loss among adults in the United States. However, there are many additional oral health risks as well. These include:

Gum recession – Patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease often experience a receding gum line. This happens when an accumulation of bacteria, plaque, and calculus irritates the tissue and causes it to detach from the tooth surface. Eventually, the tissue can wear down and leave the root exposed.

Bone loss – Moderate to severe cases of periodontal disease lead to significant bone loss. The bacteria that cause gum disease produce toxins, which cause the body to destroy the bone supporting the teeth.

Tooth loss – Unfortunately, periodontal disease often leads to tooth loss. If enough bone tissue is destroyed, the teeth lose their support and may require extraction.

Physical Health Risks

Much research is being done to determine the specific nature of the link between periodontal disease and certain physical illnesses. However, it is certain that a gum infection can contribute to conditions such as:

Heart disease – There are several theories on why gum disease may contribute to heart disease. Some believe that bacteria in the bloodstream may bind with fatty plaques and clog arteries while others believe the connection is due to the body’s response to inflammation.

Diabetes – Periodontal disease can make it hard to control blood sugar levels which can contribute to diabetes.

Preterm delivery – The presence of gum disease can put stress on the body which may cause pregnant women to give birth prematurely or to low birth weight babies.

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Our Doctor

Dr. Borello is a licensed periodontist with over three decades of experience. Which means, unlike regular dentists, he has specialized expertise necessary to keep your gums healthy, preventing many dental problems before they happen. So you go to the dentist less.